Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Mary has
chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. Mary represents the Christians among us who
make little pools of stillness in the middle of their busyness and take time to
find out just what it is Jesus wants them to learn. Mary knew what it meant to be a follower of
Christ. Every day you and I can choose whether to do like Martha or be like Mary.

Dear
Friends,

Many of
us remember the story of the time Jesus visited two sisters who were equally
beloved of him but who represented two different kinds of Christians.“Martha,” the Scripture says, “was distracted
by all the preparations that had to be made” (Lk. 10:40).She loved the “work of the Lord” more than
the “Lord of the work’!Although she was
very busy serving Him, this was not as He wished.At that particular moment, Jesus wanted her
to be still, not frantic—worshiping, not worrying.“Martha, Martha,” He said, “you are worried
and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will
not be taken away from her” (vv. 41—42).Mary represents the Christians among us who make little pools of
stillness in the middle of their busyness and take time to find out just what
it is Jesus wants them to learn.Mary
knew what it meant to be a follower of Christ.

Every day
you and I can choose whether to do like Martha or be like Mary.For those of
us who love doing rather than being, it will be very hard to change our
attitude.But change we must if we are
to fulfill His plans for us and be fulfilled ourselves.Martha, for all her busy serving, was worried
and upset.There was no peace in her
heart.Jesus rebuked her for worrying
about her activities, not the activity itself.When we are in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing
as far as the Lord is concerned, there will be peace and serenity inside of
us.

We must
stop so much doing and practice being a child of God.Make it a top priority.As you spend time in God’s Word He will give
you principles and pointers to help you understand your daily place and
actions.For example, we are not to
leave God out of the reckoning when we move, change our job, or do our
business.We should listen to Him.We should, as James tells us, say, “If it is
the Lord’s will, we will do this or that.”

When
Stuart and I got married, we put our time into God’s hands, and He put His will
into ours.For three years we worked in
the secular world—Stuart as a banker, me as a teacher.That was what God wanted us to do!Then God’s timing called for us to serve a
youth mission.That was what God wanted
us to do!So we moved from the city to
the country.Ten years later God’s clock
struck the hour for us to uproot, move across the Atlantic, and take the
leadership of Elmbrook Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.That was what God wanted us to do!Thirty-four years later we are still here and
for one reason only: That is what God wants us to do!God brought us here, and until He leads us
out, as surely as He led us in, we will stay and do our best to fill our days
with praise and service.

Where are
you on the Mary/Martha spectrum? Be intentional this week about doing less and
being more in His presence so you can listen to His voice and hear what it is
that He wants you to do!

1 comment:

Yes, the busyness consumes the stillness. Life's frenetic pace demands action until we collapse, powerless to move one step further. I am haunted by the thought of chasing God's activity without chasing God's presence (2 Timothy 3:5). I want to live in His power!

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